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Axios Austin
Nike aims to open Austin fitness centers
Nike is expanding its Austin footprint.Driving the news: The company, which already operates Nike stores in Central Texas, is planning to open Nike Studios fitness centers by Camp Mabry and by the Triangle, off 45th Street and North Lamar Boulevard.The big picture: The corporate apparel giant is figuring out how to more deeply enfold its brand — best known for Air Jordans and running shoes — into Americans' daily lives.The membership-based centers, run in conjunction with the firm FitLab and currently all on the West Coast, feature small classes in endurance and strength training.What they're saying: "Our blood-pumping tunes, springy...
See which Austin restaurants and chefs are James Beard semifinalists
The culinary gods have looked upon Austin and smiled.Driving the news: The James Beard Foundation on Wednesday announced its semifinalists for awards honoring the best in food and drinks across the country and, once again, there's a big helping of Austin-area restaurants and chefs. Why it matters: James Beard recognition can serve as a flare that draws attention to up-and-comers, brings satisfaction to chefs who do consistently excellent work — and, most importantly, it boosts business. Best New Restaurant semifinalists include Japanese-Mexican ramen shop Ramen Del Barrio on Parmer Lane and, farther afield, Barbs-B-Q in Lockhart.A restaurant in that category "demonstrates excellence...
Austin's mayor race heats up as third candidate enters field
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson now faces at least two challengers as he prepares to announce his re-election campaign.Driving the news: Carmen Llanes Pulido, an affordable housing advocate who runs the group Go! Austin/Vamos! Austin, announced Tuesday she's running for mayor.Last week former City Council member Kathie Tovo entered the race.The big picture: Watson narrowly won the mayoral post in 2022 over Celia Israel with an appeal to moderate Democrats and Republicans.As someone long involved in Austin politics — he also served as mayor in the late 1990s and as a state senator — Watson has relatively high name recognition and...
How documentary filmmaker PJ Raval likes to spend time in Austin
We recently caught up with PJ Raval, a University of Texas professor and documentary filmmaker, to ask about his ideal Austin day.His latest film, "Who We Become," a wonderfully kaleidoscopic tracking of three young Filipinas in Texas as they navigate social justice protests and the pandemic, was recently released on Netflix.Background: Raval has lived in Austin on and off since 2000, when he attended UT for graduate school.How do you start your day?"I like to frequent places that capture old-school Austin, and I go to Cherrywood Coffeehouse, my neighborhood cafe, all the time. I like to get the luna taco...
Austin's Surely expands nonalcoholic wine options
A local beverage company wants you to enjoy your glass of wine without the negative effects of alcohol, and it's bringing new nonalcoholic drink options to a growing market.What's happening: Austin-based Surely sources California grapes and works with winemakers to create alcohol-removed wine, taking it through the same fermentation process used in traditional winemaking.What they're saying: Surely founder and CEO Ryan Hanson launched the company in November 2020 after watching non-alcoholic beer grow in popularity."How could we create our own NA beverage that we would have when we want to go out and still be social? How could we create...
What's in store for Texas real estate in 2024
Data: Zillow Economic Research; Chart: Axios VisualsReal estate experts predict Texas' major markets will be less stagnant — but not wildly different — in 2024.Why it matters: Mortgage rates have dipped from two-decade highs that froze the housing market, shutting out first-time shoppers and locking homeowners in place.What's happening: The state's sales might get a boost from below-7% rates, but the total is expected to stay flat compared to 2023, according to the Texas Real Estate Research Center at Texas A&M University.Many Texans are unlikely to budge unless rates drift back down to around 3-4%, research director Daniel Oney tells...
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A new fried chicken spot will kick off operations next month with a collaboration with a local Asian eatery.What's happening: Nashville-based hot chicken restaurant Hattie B's Hot Chicken, due to open on South Lamar in late February, is collaborating with Loro Asian Smokehouse & Bar, created by James Beard award winners chef Tyson Cole and pitmaster Aaron Franklin for an early February menu.Items include a hot chicken sandwich ($13.50) with pimento cheese, pickles, miso comeback sauce, Loro slaw, chicken skin furikake, oak-smoked collards ($7) with miso cornbread crumble, and drinks like the frozen painkiller ($9) — spiced rum, pineapple, coconut and a dash of nutmeg.What they're saying: "There's definitely no shortage of umami with these dishes," Brian Morris, Hattie B's executive chef and vice president of culinary, said in a news release.Of note: Hattie B's has operations in eight cities, including Dallas and Las Vegas.Loro is now in four spots in Texas.Plus: Like all good collabs, there will be merch, including T-shirts commemorating the partnership.The bottom line: The menu will be available at Loro, at 2115 S. Lamar Blvd., from Feb. 1 to 4.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Austin.
H-E-B South Congress on target to open this year
H-E-B's new location at Oltorf and South Congress is on track to open later this year as the beloved Texas grocery store chain expands its Central Texas footprint.Catch up quick: H-E-B demolished its long-standing store at that corner and opened a small, temporary store at the adjacent Twin Oaks Shopping Center.Construction began in 2022, and the revamped store is expected to be over 145,000 square feet with two levels for shopping, dining and live music, and three levels of above-ground parking.What they're saying: "The ongoing work involves infrastructure and road enhancements on Congress Avenue, coupled with indoor construction efforts," a...
ERCOT issues second conservation appeal
The state's grid operator asked Texans to conserve energy again this week as temperatures remained below freezing in much of the state.The latest: ERCOT officials called on residents to voluntarily conserve electricity from 6-9am Tuesday if it is safe to do so. The request follows officials' initial conservation appeal Monday morning.An arctic outbreak arrived in Texas on Sunday evening, dropping temperatures in the Austin area to around 16 degrees overnight.A hard freeze warning continues through Wednesday morning before temperatures rise to a high of around 47 degrees later in the day, per National Weather Service forecasters.What they're saying: Forecasts from...
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Axios Austin, anchored by Nicole Cobler and Asher Price, is here to help readers get smarter, faster on the most consequential news and developments unfolding in their own backyard.
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